261

Shao Qing was astonished.

From childhood, Yuan Yunzhong had followed his maternal grandfather, Master Jinghu, in his studies, only returning to the Yuan Family at the age of ten. Thereafter, he studied under his uncle. But whether it was Master Jinghu or Yuan Yunzhong's uncle, when teaching him, they had both retired and did not take on other students.

If there was anyone he could be considered to have shared studies with, it was when Yuan Yunzhong passed the imperial examinations at a young age. Master Jinghu, fearing that he lacked camaraderie with peers that could disadvantage him in the officialdom, specifically sent him to study at Crane Mountain Academy. However, after only three months, Yuan Yunzhong felt out of place and, not wishing to return to the Yuan Family, simply left the academy.

Although he did have his name inscribed on the imperial examination list, for both the Yuan and Wang Families, not advancing into the top three ranks was a great pity.